LIMPERG234_00024

10 APPLYING EFFICIENCY PRINCIPLES
10. Also, as appears in the example cited in para­graph
8, the principle which comes first to mind as
applicable is not always the one that will produce re­sults.
The only way that errors of this kind can be
avoided is by the continual study of one's own ex­periences
and those of others in the light of the prin­ciples.
The words of Dr. Schurman, "Practice with­out
theory is blind, and theory without practice is
empty," apply strongly to all efficiency work.
11. Because of the interplay of the principles with
one another, it is impossible even to discuss any one
of them without continually bringing in the others.
Hence it is necessary, before discussing any principle
in detail, to give a general statement of all of them.
On the other hand, any general analysis, either of
theory or practice, must proceed in the main along
the line of one principle at a time. These chapters,
therefore, resemble in structure Harrington Emer­son's
work "The Principles of Efficiency" in that they
discuss each principle in turn; but the point of view
is different. Emerson's Ideal was the explanation and
propagation of the principles, while this volume as­sumes
that the principles are understood and accepted,
and undertakes to tell how to apply them.
The efficiency engineer is always steering between
Scylla and Charybdis. Adherence to one principle
only, to the neglect of others, is sure to run him into
trouble one way or the other; but safety and success
lie in the simultaneous practice of all.

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10 APPLYING EFFICIENCY PRINCIPLES
10. Also, as appears in the example cited in para­graph
8, the principle which comes first to mind as
applicable is not always the one that will produce re­sults.
The only way that errors of this kind can be
avoided is by the continual study of one's own ex­periences
and those of others in the light of the prin­ciples.
The words of Dr. Schurman, "Practice with­out
theory is blind, and theory without practice is
empty," apply strongly to all efficiency work.
11. Because of the interplay of the principles with
one another, it is impossible even to discuss any one
of them without continually bringing in the others.
Hence it is necessary, before discussing any principle
in detail, to give a general statement of all of them.
On the other hand, any general analysis, either of
theory or practice, must proceed in the main along
the line of one principle at a time. These chapters,
therefore, resemble in structure Harrington Emer­son's
work "The Principles of Efficiency" in that they
discuss each principle in turn; but the point of view
is different. Emerson's Ideal was the explanation and
propagation of the principles, while this volume as­sumes
that the principles are understood and accepted,
and undertakes to tell how to apply them.
The efficiency engineer is always steering between
Scylla and Charybdis. Adherence to one principle
only, to the neglect of others, is sure to run him into
trouble one way or the other; but safety and success
lie in the simultaneous practice of all.